Power, Privilege, Discipline, Punishment, and Performance

Power, Privilege, Discipline, Punishment, and Performance

            Themes of power, privilege, discipline, punishment, and performance are evident in the analysis of prison-industrial complex and probation practices from the poem “Probation.” The prison-industrial complex system involves shifting the management of prisons from the federal government to private corporations. Prisoners are denied privileges they should have within jails and work for private companies. Working for organizations is secondary punishment to such prisoners as there is no compensation, health benefits, or insurance. Instilling discipline in prisons has gone beyond the normal ways of exploitation. In this case, probation programs limit an individual’s power and privileges to their lives. Also, performance in social and voting processes among the prisoners is no longer available once they are imprisoned. Theories used in prisons to rectify behavior apply to my life situations, although some are extreme to the victims, they have shaped my beliefs, morals, and practices.

Probation relies on the theory of close surveillance of an individual to promote the right conduct. During probation, an individual is directed to act morally and legally to fit into society.  Despite being a prisoner, human beings have the right to exercise their freedom and power, however, in prison-industrial systems, inmates do not have such opportunity (Davis, 2000). Self-empowerment, being one of my goals towards leading a successful life, is based on the ability to change behavior towards moral responsibility. In my life, I have always trained to act in the right manner to fit into society. Besides, the gradual change of conduct helps one to exercise power and privileges as other members of the community. Punishment is established for individuals to regain desired conduct and change their behavior. During probation, the programs provide space to the subject’s positive activities, and discipline is built on self-directing behavior, which applies to real-life situations.

The principles used in prisons and under probation programs have both advantages and limitations. In prisons, inmates are taught and trained on discipline values and behavior that is desired. Privileges form part of the human entitlement, which regards race, gender, citizenship, and religion (Pcare, 2007). As citizens, prisoners have privileges to access food, security, and health care. In contrast, authorities tend to limit a prisoner’s power over life, which compromises autonomous human nature; for instance, the character in “Probation” poem feels oppressed due to the limit to carry on activities, such as studying. Also, probation officers tend to manage and hold captive their subjects, which makes the program a social control tool, rather than societal welfare. Personally, when I impose punishment, the desired conduct determines the mode and extent of punishment; for instance, withdrawing luxuries from a child works to curb violent behavior towards their peers. Under the control of prisons and probation officers, the subjects are not allowed to do what they wish or desire, which limits their performance.

Reflection on theories of prison punishment, discipline, and probation programs changed my opinion on beliefs and morals of behavior. Everyone has privileges associated with a social aspect; for instance, I enjoy voting rights, similar to any other citizen of a state or country. The victim in “Probation” is not given space to direct himself, instead, the officer holds classes and shows no sign of completion of the program (Davis, 2000). Personally, to perform well in life activities, I pursue my dreams better when the mind is free. Similar to the narrator’s experience on probation, my internal power is a personal endeavor, and only I can understand what is best for myself. In light of the probation program, I have learned that the performance of an individual is determined by free will.

The prison-industrial complex system is an example of contemporary cultural trends, which denies prisoners their privileges by forcing them to work in private companies. Organizations that use prison labor include IBM, Motorola, Microsoft, and Boeing (Davis, 2000). Besides, Nordstrom department stores mark clothing made in Oregon prisons as “Prison Blues.” Also, discipline in prison-industrial complex systems is not instilled in the prisoners as the private companies extort their cheap labor. In this case, the mode of punishment should lie within the limits that victims can handle to avoid violation of human rights.

In conclusion, power in oneself determines the free will and the privileges associated with such freedom. The form of punishment appropriate for persons is the one that promotes change in behavior or discipline without violating human rights. Change in behavior of prisoners should enable their performance in their lives, such as attaining desired goals. Also, theories applied in probation programs should be modified to consider the rights of victims. Finally, prisoners should not be forced to work in private corporations, such as IBM and Boeing, as they need to enjoy their rights and privileges.

References

Davis, A. (2000). Masked racism: reflections on the prison industrial complex.[Article reprinted    from Colorlines]. Indigenous Law Bulletin, 4(27), 4.

Pcare. (2007). Fighting the Prison–Industrial Complex: A Call to Communication and Cultural     Studies Scholars to Change the World. Communication and Critical/Cultural          Studies, 4(4), 402-420.